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10 Dividend Stocks Still Paying Outsized Yields (Update2)

Company profile: Exelon, with a market value of $26 billion, is the largest nuclear plant operator in the U.S., and has regulated and unregulated electricity and natural gas distribution units. It is expected to complete a merger with
Consolidated Energy(CEG) in the current quarter, which will result in the largest competitive energy producer in the country and second-biggest electricity and natural gas distributor.

Exelon said today that its proposed merger with Constellation Energy has been approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission. It has already been approved by both companies' shareholders, the New York Public Service Commission, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Department of Justice, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is still pending.

Dividend Yield: 5.38%

Investor takeaway: Its shares are down 8.8% this year and are down by 1.4% annually, on average, over the past three years, but clearly its shares are expected turn around soon as analysts give them five "buy" ratings, two "buy/holds," and 12 "holds," according to a survey by S&P. Investors must be waiting for the dust to clear after the big merger.

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up 0.8% this year and have an annual gain of 27%, on average, over the past three years. Analysts give them 10 "hold" ratings, a survey by S&P shows. It is expected to earn $1.31 per share this year and that will grow by 19% next year.

Company profile: Altria, with a $62 billion market valuation, is the leading seller of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in the U.S., and the No. 2 seller of cigars. Its businesses include Philip Morris USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. It also owns a 27% interest in
SABMiller(SAB), the world's second-largest brewer.

Dividend Yield: 5.46%

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up this 1.3% year and 31% annually, on average, over the past three years. S&P has them rated "buy," and its survey of analysts found three "buys," three "buy/holds," 10 "holds," and one "weak hold."

Company profile: AT&T, with a market value of $181 billion, is the second-biggest U.S. wireless carrier and dominant local phone company in 22 states, serving about 40 million phone lines, 16 million Internet users and 4 million television customers.

Dividend Yield: 5.70%

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up 2.4% this year but have a gain of 14.4%, on average, over the past three years. Analysts give them nine "buy" ratings, four "buy/holds," 22"holds," and one "sell," according to a survey by S&P. It's expected to earn $2.36 per share this year and that that will grow by 7% next year.

Company profile: AstraZeneca, with a market value of $60 billion, sells branded pharmaceutical products across several major therapeutic classes. Less than 40% of its sales come from the U.S.

Dividend Yield: 6.20%

Investor takeaway: Its shares are up 1.6% this year but have a gain of 19%, on average, over the past three years. Analysts give them one "buy" rating, one "buy/hold," six "holds," and one "weak hold," per S&P.